Chi Jianshan finally looked up, anger apparent on his well-maintained face, "Chi Yue, I am your father. Is this how you speak to your father?!"
"So you remember you're my father now? I almost thought that between you and Ms. Bai there was only business, not even recognizing me, your legitimate daughter."
Having said that, she walked away without looking at Chi Jianshan's contorted face.
Going downstairs, Yang Shulan was waiting at the stairwell.
"Xiao Yue, it's not easy for you to come back once. Why don't you have a meal at home?"
Chi Yue stopped and looked at her, "In your presence, I can't eat."
Yang Shulan's face changed drastically.
From upstairs, Chi Jianshan's angry shout came: "Chi Yue, she is your elder!"
Elder?
When had they ever treated her as a younger family member?
Chi Yue left without looking back, walking out of the home where she had grown up and turning to look at it one last time.
She couldn't wait any longer.
She needed to retrieve her mother's dowry as soon as possible, otherwise that mother and daughter might find another way to take away her mother's dowry as well.
Hospital.
When Chi Yue entered the hospital room, Bai Qing had just finished eating.
"Mom."
Bai Qing was surprised, "Yueyue, what brought you here at this time?"
Chi Yue: "It's the weekend today; I came to see you."
Seeing that her daughter looked troubled, Bai Qing asked cautiously: "Did you have a fight with Fu Rao?"
Chi Yue paused.
Bai Qing only knew that her boyfriend's name was Fu Rao but had never met him, and Chi Yue had not had the chance to tell Bai Qing about breaking up with Fu Rao yet.
Seeing Chi Yue silent, Bai Qing earnestly advised, "It's inevitable for couples to fight. You're stubborn too; don't make a fuss over small things."
Chi Yue lowered her eyes, "Don't worry, we're fine."
Bai Qing took her hand, "I don't have many wishes in this life, just that you live a safe and happy life. If you find someone good, go ahead and marry him."
Chi Yue felt a suffocating pressure in her chest and remained silent for a moment before standing up, "I'm going to the restroom."
After washing her face with cold water, Chi Yue felt somewhat relieved from her agitation.
When Bai Qing and Chi Jianshan had an arranged marriage, they signed an agreement to leave her dowry to their first child. But fearing the child was too young to manage it, they added a clause that the child could only take full control of it upon getting married.
That meant Chi Yue needed to get married to retrieve Bai Qing's dowry.
She had thought she and Fu Rao were on the verge of discussing marriage, but it had fallen through.
Back in the hospital room, Bai Qing was already asleep. Chi Yue tucked her in properly and then left.
In the brightly lit and bustling bar, Chi Yue entered the private room in a form-fitting mini dress that barely covered her butt, just about to open the door when Fu Rao's voice came from behind her.
"Chi Yue?"
Chi Yue stiffened all over.
Fu Rao spun her around to face him, looking her over from head to toe, his eyes growing colder, "Chi Yue, if only you had cared more about me in the past, I would have married you long ago."
Chi Yue expressionlessly swatted his hand away, "I'm not here for you."
Fu Rao's tongue hit his back teeth, "This is the room I booked. If you're not here for me, are you here for my Fifth Uncle?"
Chi Yue had complained about Fu Rongyin before when she was with him, saying he was like an iceberg — no woman liked a man that cold.
Since this room tonight had only him and Fu Rongyin, Fu Rao was certain Chi Yue wasn't there for Fu Rongyin.